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melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked this mystery. I sort of had my suspicions early on of the killer, but there were lots of twists and turns until the final reveal.
katmarhan's review against another edition
3.0
7/10
Not one of the better William Monk books by Anne Perry.
On the positive side, the inclusion of the beginning of the American Civil War and the experiences of William and Hester in America planted the series more firmly in time for me (being an American). They were also some of the most interesting parts of the book and brought Monk and Hester closer in a very special way.
On the negative side, there was at least one glaring editing error. More importantly, the entire ending was even more confusing and rushed than usual and than it needed to be. Even after reading it a couple times, I am still not quite sure how the pirates, the blackmail, the Chinese War, the train, and the barge all fit together and exactly who did what.
Not one of the better William Monk books by Anne Perry.
On the positive side, the inclusion of the beginning of the American Civil War and the experiences of William and Hester in America planted the series more firmly in time for me (being an American). They were also some of the most interesting parts of the book and brought Monk and Hester closer in a very special way.
On the negative side, there was at least one glaring editing error. More importantly, the entire ending was even more confusing and rushed than usual and than it needed to be. Even after reading it a couple times, I am still not quite sure how the pirates, the blackmail, the Chinese War, the train, and the barge all fit together and exactly who did what.
taisie22's review against another edition
5.0
In this tenth book of the series, Monk and Hester are invited to a dinner party. The host and his partner sell guns. This is the start of the American Civil War and agents from both the North and South are there competing for his stock. When some gruesome murders occur, it's up to Monk and Hester to retrieve the murderers who have fled to America for a trial in the English courts.
I'm really enjoying this series, but I think I liked this book the best so far. The historical research, as always, is excellent. Not only do we see Victorian England, but I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the first battle of Bull Run as well as Monk and Hester's view of the New York City and Washington. The mystery was good also; I was never quite sure how the murders occurred and why much less by whom.
The relationship between Hester and Monk has grown deeper, if possible. I feel quite sorry for Oliver and I hope he finds someone he can love as much as Hester.
Great book in an interesting series.
I'm really enjoying this series, but I think I liked this book the best so far. The historical research, as always, is excellent. Not only do we see Victorian England, but I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the first battle of Bull Run as well as Monk and Hester's view of the New York City and Washington. The mystery was good also; I was never quite sure how the murders occurred and why much less by whom.
The relationship between Hester and Monk has grown deeper, if possible. I feel quite sorry for Oliver and I hope he finds someone he can love as much as Hester.
Great book in an interesting series.
meli65's review against another edition
3.0
I’m feeling amused reading the other reviews that say this is the worst of the whole series. I liked the trip to America but it seemed like this book could have gone in many more interesting directions.
I ♥️Monk and Hester as newlyweds though.
I ♥️Monk and Hester as newlyweds though.
macthekat's review against another edition
3.0
2½ star
I am rather disappointed that this book is about the American Civil war. I normally love London as a character in the books so I missed it for part of this book. The plot overly convoluted this time. I think I had my share of this series for now. I might come back to it later, but past book 10 in a series with no overarching plot it is perhaps time to move on. The book did not hold my interest like the series normally does, normally I can't get enough of them and I stay up all night to read, with this one I was easily distracted - and I was just looking forward for it to finish so I could read something else. I think I might need to try one of Anne Perry's other series
I am rather disappointed that this book is about the American Civil war. I normally love London as a character in the books so I missed it for part of this book. The plot overly convoluted this time. I think I had my share of this series for now. I might come back to it later, but past book 10 in a series with no overarching plot it is perhaps time to move on. The book did not hold my interest like the series normally does, normally I can't get enough of them and I stay up all night to read, with this one I was easily distracted - and I was just looking forward for it to finish so I could read something else. I think I might need to try one of Anne Perry's other series
meli65's review against another edition
3.0
I’m feeling amused reading the other reviews that say this is the worst of the whole series. I liked the trip to America but it seemed like this book could have gone in many more interesting directions.
I ♥️Monk and Hester as newlyweds though.
I ♥️Monk and Hester as newlyweds though.
margaretpinard's review against another edition
1.0
Much less gripping than other Perry novels, even though Monk is usually my best bet. Just not much a core to the villain, and very slow-moving and not pursuing obvious leads...disappointing. Although river scene at the end was quite fascinating!
p30 news from US to reach UK, 1860: 12 days to 3 weeks, depending on weather and how far had to travel overland
p1032 crossing from Liverpool to NYC, 11 days with good weather
+p144 :He also knew that he would never measure or touch the end of his hunger that she would love him equally, that he would be worthy of it, unclouded and whole" <3
+343 domestics: clean up the kitchen, clean & black the small stove, put on the laundry, scrub the kitchen floor, clean out the larder and make note of what needed restocking, take out the rugs, sweep the floors, beat the rugs and return them, hang the laundry out, do ironing from previous day, prepare dinner
-209 inane noticing and internal thoughts
-242 morning call/'best morning gown' and calling at 9 AM ?!?
-311 rathbone POV, moment of silence not realized by half of those present, doesn't fall right
p30 news from US to reach UK, 1860: 12 days to 3 weeks, depending on weather and how far had to travel overland
p1032 crossing from Liverpool to NYC, 11 days with good weather
+p144 :He also knew that he would never measure or touch the end of his hunger that she would love him equally, that he would be worthy of it, unclouded and whole" <3
+343 domestics: clean up the kitchen, clean & black the small stove, put on the laundry, scrub the kitchen floor, clean out the larder and make note of what needed restocking, take out the rugs, sweep the floors, beat the rugs and return them, hang the laundry out, do ironing from previous day, prepare dinner
-209 inane noticing and internal thoughts
-242 morning call/'best morning gown' and calling at 9 AM ?!?
-311 rathbone POV, moment of silence not realized by half of those present, doesn't fall right
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